If you are a major Harry Potter fan like me than my new post will definitely be up your street! I have loved and grown up with the Harry potter films and they are my go to film series to watch on sick days. Just the whole concept of the films/books transport you into a magical universe and allows you to be immersed into the wizarding world. Obviously being a Harry Potter fan the one place I had to go was The making of Harry Potter Studio tour in Leavesden and I have been lucky enough to visit their twice! Today I want to talk about my general experience there and give you some insight details if you are thinking about visiting there.
So the second time I went there I booked it for George's birthday weekend (it was more of a present for me than him!) for September on a Sunday. We didn't have any trouble getting there as it is pretty well signed and a lot of car parking spots. You have set times to go in and whilst your lining up there is plenty of props and pictures to look at which makes the time go a bit faster until you enter the cinema area. You have host members greet and have banter with the guests whilst everyone gets seated and unlucky George got picked on by a host which he wasn't to happy about but obviously I found it amusing! You then watch the cinema presentation to be transported into the magic. The screen goes up to reveal the great hall doors. They usually ask if it is someone birthday to allow them to open the doors and the first time I went there my friend stuck my hand up so I was lucky enough to open them!
Honestly the feeling of walking into the great hall is amazing getting to see all the real props and costumes is a surreal feeling. After going through the great hall you then go into a big sound stage that is filled with props, costumes and sets including Dumbledore office, Hagrid's hut, Professor Snapes classroom and many more with added magical touches. In this part you can also take part in learning how to use a wand and also have an experience off flying on a broomstick which really was a favourite moment of mine and would recommend everyone to do it. After you have finished with this section you then walk into platform 9 3/4 to be wowed at the sight of the Hogwarts express. It truly is magnificent to see and there are many photo opportunity's as well.
After experiencing all that magic you might be a bit peckish so midway through there is a café to give you a chance to relax and try some butter beer- which I actually really liked but gets sickly after a while would recommend the ice cream instead. Once your ready to get back to the experience you go outside to witness the bigger sets including the purple night bus and privet drive. After this you entre the last sound stage to walk down Diagon Alley which is a lot smaller in real life but still amazing to see. You then get to see more of the special affects side of the films which is really interesting and I suggest taking some time to read and watch the videos in the area. Then you hit the grand finale..... seeing the massive full model of the Hogwarts Castle. This was my favourite part of the tour as it allows you to take time to really appreciate how much hard work that went into the films and the detail is amazing! At the end of the tour you go through the gift shop so don't forget to pick up a chocolate frog!
That was just a snippet of my experience at the studio tour and I can honestly say it is a great day out and allows you to appreciate the films more. I cannot wait to go to the Wizarding world in Universal studios to actually experience being in Hogsmead and Diagon Alley instead of looking at the props. I will definitely be returning to the studios tour to see the new expansion for the forbidden forest! I hope this post has help everyone to know what to expected when going there and I hope you have enjoyed reading thank you xx
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